What's up guys, I just put in jail 2 run of the mill MNs 1943 Izhevsk but I notices one has a little "curve" cut into the stock behind the first (or second depending on when you look at it, it's the one by the chamber) it's on both sides and I've never seen that before. What is the purpose of that? The second one doesn't have that

The year and arsenal of refurbed Mosins are generally irrelevant to the type of stock on it unless you are really lucky and get one with the original - or at least correct era and style - stock. Many have post-war stocks, earlier stocks, or ones from the other arsenal.

Almost all 1943 Izhevsk 91/30 rifles originally had the stocks with the unlined rear sling slot and a "half-liner" in the front slot, or "half-liners" in both slots. Tula did not use this style stock, only Izhevsk in 1942 and 1943.

Tula used the stocks with the pressed in oval sling slot escutcheons in 1943and 1944, Izhevsk went to this style very late in 1943 and also used them in 1944. The post-war stocks also have the pressed in oval sling slot escutcheons, but can be identified by the dovetailed-in toe piece splice on the butt that many folks think is a repair.

Very hard to tell, but unscrew the butt plate what marks or numbers do you have? If any.

__________________Why do I have my firearms? 1) Its my choice and right to have them. 2) Its not only about hunting, its about defending myself/family/friends and those who cant defend themselves from which the USConstitution provides me with those rights contained within it. 3) I will uphold my Bill of Rights and the US Constitution and abide by it as it was written by our great countries founding fathers. Dont tread on me, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed!
MOLON LABE Veritas Aequitas

Since the stocks on Mosins, like the stocks on U.S. Ww2 era weapons, were not originally serial numbered to the rifle - unlike German Mausers of the same period that are usually serial numbered, waffenamt marked, and have numerious other indicators of the original make and period rifle it went on - there is no way to tell 100% for sure if the stock on a Mosin rifle is original to it, even if it is from the correct period and has the correct arsenal marks on it.

However, there are a number of things that can be used together to determine with some reasonable accuracy and certainty if a stock is probably original or definitely not.

First obviously is if it is the right era and type, and has visible arsenal markings. For instance, a 1944 Izhevsk stock with the pressed in escutcheons and solid buttstock (no dovetailed toe piece) would not be original for a 1939 Izhevsk or Tula rifle.

(Gotta go right now - I will write more on this later when I have the time)

so my 1944 tula PU does not have the buttstock splice, it does have 1/2 escutcheons front & rear. cant read the large round stamp on the right side of the stock with a smaller round stamp next to it. i was told this was a Izhevsk PU stock used on it at post war referb.